Live fire restrictions & Red Flag Warnings · National Weather Service
🔴 Red Flag Warning
Critical fire weather — extreme danger, high winds, low humidity. Burning is typically banned statewide and by county.
🟠 Fire Weather Watch
Dangerous conditions developing within 24–72 hrs. Monitor for upgrade to Red Flag Warning and imminent restrictions.
⚠️ County bans may differ
West Virginia county burn bans and USFS Stage 1–3 restrictions are separate — always confirm with your local fire authority.
Checking West Virginia fire-weather alerts…
The NWS map above shows fire-weather alerts — for the legally binding burn ban status, go directly to the official West Virginia source:
WV Division of ForestryFire laws & seasonsOpen official source ↗Also check your county government website — a county burn ban can be in effect even when West Virginia has no statewide restriction.
🚫 Prohibited
✓ Usually Still Allowed
Always confirm with the issuing agency — specific orders vary.
County burn bans in West Virginia are issued separately from state-level restrictions — a county can be under a burn ban even when the rest of the state is not. County commissioners, the county fire marshal, or the county judge typically issue these orders, and they are not reflected in NWS alerts shown on the map above.
The West Virginia Division of Forestry publishes statewide fire burning guidelines at wvforestry.com/fire-laws including the seasonal restriction schedule (March 1–May 31 and October 1–December 31). WV operates under automatic statewide seasonal restrictions rather than county-by-county bans; the Division of Forestry's wildfire danger map at wvforestry.com/wildfire-danger-map shows current conditions.
West Virginia Division of Forestry Fire Laws — WV Division of ForestryView county map ↗Federal land managers use a tiered system that escalates as fire danger increases. Stage restrictions apply only to the land they are issued for — your county may have a separate burn ban on private land.
Open burning prohibited. Campfires may still be allowed in designated fire rings at developed campgrounds. Portable gas and pressurized-liquid stoves are typically allowed in cleared areas.
All open fires prohibited — including campfires in developed campgrounds. Gas stoves may be allowed in cleared areas. Chainsaw use and motorized off-road vehicles restricted.
Maximum restriction before full closure. All fires may be prohibited. Motorized vehicle use off designated roads, shooting, and spark-producing tools are typically banned.
State or county-level complete ban on all open burning — campfires, burn barrels, brush and agricultural burning. Gas and propane grills for cooking are usually still allowed.
Area is fully closed — no public access or fire-related activity of any kind is permitted.
Typically equivalent to Stage 1. Open burning prohibited; campfires in developed campgrounds may still be allowed. Common on BLM land in NV, OR, and ID.
Agency-specific restriction with unique terms. Always read the specific order from the issuing land management office — scope varies significantly.
Oregon ODF Industrial Fire Precaution Level — applies to industrial operations (logging, equipment) on ODF-protected state and private forestland. IFPL I is the lowest level; IFPL IV is the most restrictive. Separate from USFS campfire restrictions.
Restriction scope and exact prohibitions vary by agency and order. Always confirm with the issuing land management office or visit the official source linked above.
West Virginia does not offer a public online burn permit portal. During restricted fire seasons, commercial entities (manufacturing, public utility, mining, etc.) may obtain a burning permit from their local WV Division of Forestry district office at a fee of $125 per site. Agricultural burning is exempt from the permit fee. Residential burning of leaves, brush, and yard waste during the allowed nighttime hours does not require a permit but must comply with all safety requirements. Contact the WV Division of Forestry at 304-558-2788.
Get West Virginia burning permit ↗Or call the West Virginia forestry hotline: 304-558-2788
West Virginia's Appalachian terrain creates two distinct fire seasons: spring (March 1 through May 31) when deciduous hardwood forests are leafless and strong mountain winds dry leaf litter rapidly, and fall (October 1 through December 31) when fallen leaves accumulate on steep slopes. The rugged ridges and hollows of the central and southern Appalachians — particularly in Pocahontas, Webster, Nicholas, and McDowell counties — see the most intense wildfire activity. Spring bans are automatic statewide under state law regardless of local conditions.
Statewide or regional burn bans and open-burning suspensions on state and private land.
County-wide burn bans — the level that most often affects homeowners and is easy to miss.
Stage 1–3 fire restrictions and closures on national forests, parks, and other federal land.
Municipal open-burning rules, fireworks bans, and local red-flag restrictions.
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The live map and status strip above show active Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches from the National Weather Service for West Virginia. For the legally binding answer, check the official West Virginia source: WV Division of Forestry at https://wvforestry.com/fire-laws/. Also confirm with your county — a county burn ban can be in effect even when no statewide restriction exists.
During an active burn ban, West Virginia prohibits: All outdoor burning between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. during fire seasons (March 1–May 31 and October 1–December 31) under WV Code §20-3-5; Burning any non-vegetative materials (trash, garbage, household waste) at any time of year; Burning processed or treated wood products at any time; Starting any fire without a ring or safety strip cleared of burnable material for at least 10 feet on all sides; Leaving any fire unattended before it is completely extinguished; Any fire on land with dry conditions that could reasonably spread to neighboring property. Typically still allowed: Burning between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. during fire seasons (all fires fully extinguished by 7 a.m.); Small fires for food preparation, warmth, or light with 10-foot cleared safety zone at any time; Burning when ground is covered by one inch or more of snow; Propane and natural gas grills at any time; Commercial burning during prohibited hours with a Division of Forestry permit ($125 per site). Always verify the specific order with WV Division of Forestry — prohibited activities can vary by jurisdiction and restriction level.
Gas and propane grills used for cooking on private residential property are typically allowed during a West Virginia burn ban. Charcoal grills may be permitted in calm conditions but check the specific order. Wood-fired grills, outdoor fire pits, and campfires are usually prohibited. Always verify with WV Division of Forestry before lighting anything.
Multiple authorities can issue burn bans in West Virginia independently: WV Division of Forestry for statewide or regional orders; WV operates under automatic statewide statutory restrictions (WV Code §20-3-5) rather than county-by-county burn ban orders; the WV Division of Forestry manages all wildfire response statewide for county-wide bans that affect most homeowners; federal land managers (U.S. Forest Service, BLM, NPS) for Stage 1–3 restrictions on federal land; and cities or local fire districts for additional local rules. A county burn ban can be active even with no statewide restriction — always check both.
Burn bans in West Virginia have no fixed duration — they are issued when fire danger is high and lifted when conditions improve, which can happen overnight or persist for weeks during drought. Red Flag Warnings from the NWS typically last 24–48 hours. State and county burn bans are lifted separately. Check the issuing agency daily during dry, windy conditions.
West Virginia's Appalachian terrain creates two distinct fire seasons: spring (March 1 through May 31) when deciduous hardwood forests are leafless and strong mountain winds dry leaf litter rapidly, and fall (October 1 through December 31) when fallen leaves accumulate on steep slopes. The rugged ridges and hollows of the central and southern Appalachians — particularly in Pocahontas, Webster, Nicholas, and McDowell counties — see the most intense wildfire activity. Spring bans are automatic statewide under state law regardless of local conditions.
West Virginia does not offer a public online burn permit portal. During restricted fire seasons, commercial entities (manufacturing, public utility, mining, etc.) may obtain a burning permit from their local WV Division of Forestry district office at a fee of $125 per site. Agricultural burning is exempt from the permit fee. Residential burning of leaves, brush, and yard waste during the allowed nighttime hours does not require a permit but must comply with all safety requirements. Contact the WV Division of Forestry at 304-558-2788.
Violating a West Virginia burn ban can result in: Violating fire season burning restrictions (WV Code §20-3-5): misdemeanor, fine $100–$1,000 per violation; In addition to criminal fines: mandatory $200 civil penalty paid to the Division of Forestry within 60 days; Each separate violation constitutes a distinct offense (each day or each fire); Willfully setting fire to forest, grass, or brush on another's property causing damage: felony, fine $500–$5,000 and/or 1–5 years imprisonment (WV Code §61-3-6); Civil liability for all fire suppression costs incurred by the state.
Sign up for free FireRisk.ai fire alerts below — we'll notify you when the NWS issues a Red Flag Warning for your area of West Virginia. For county burn ban alerts, register with your county emergency management system (Nixle, Everbridge, or your county's sign-up page). Monitor WV Division of Forestry at https://wvforestry.com/fire-laws/ for statewide orders.
FireRisk.ai aggregates live fire-weather alerts from the National Weather Service and links to official West Virginia agency sources. Burn ban status changes daily — always confirm with the official source and your county before any outdoor burning. This page is for awareness only and is not an official or legal notice. For fire emergencies call 911.
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